A Little Levity Does Not Hurt
Things are heavy out there. It’s easy to get sucked into a vortex of darkness. If you are someone who cares deeply about the world around you, the danger is even greater.
So take time to laugh a little today.
I don't read much fiction. I read a lot of books on theology, philosophy, business, and biographies. I hold my beliefs very strongly, and I get passionate about my message. On Sundays, the worst part of my day is the hour or two after I finish my sermon. I relive it and stress over anywhere I think I made an error in delivery or failed to be clear. I can get in my head. Does anybody relate to that? My wife sees this, and she tries hard to knock me off that track. Over the years she has reminded me that I need to do something “less heavy.” Not because the heavy stuff isn’t important, but because we can’t carry it nonstop without getting overwhelmed or lost.
For me, humor is my escape. I deal with the heaviness with humor. I tell people that the reason I use humor is because I am so serious about what I believe. Solomon said that heaviness makes a heart “stoop.” It means to be depressed. If you are carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, the problems of other people and situations can overwhelm you. But laughter does good, like medicine. Humor is like a vitamin D infusion for someone missing the sunlight.
You have to find a way to laugh. This usually means a temporary shift in focus. For me, it’s movies and old-time radio comedy. I have several movies and television shows that I love for their simplicity and humor. I let myself laugh whenever I watch them. The Princess Bride, Any Disney movie with Dean Jones in it, The Andy Griffith Show, and a few others. I also love old-time radio shows like The Life of Riley, Abbot and Costello, and The Great Gildersleeve.
It doesn’t matter if you like them or think they are funny. My point is to give you an example. Humor and laughter are the most important ingredients to maintain resilience in a heavy world. Laughter lightens the load, if only for a moment. Sometimes a moment is all you need. I use a lot of humor on the platform and in the pulpit. I have for twenty years. Some people (though not many) take offense at using humor in that arena. I bet they’re fun at parties.
Humor is a gift. Laughter is a gift. Receive it. Use it. I encourage you to find a source of humor that consistently gets you to smile, chuckle, or even belly laugh. Get a friend who can’t seem to go five minutes without cracking a joke. Let yourself laugh.
Use humor, not because you’re not dealing with heavy things, but because you are. Not because you don’t take life seriously, but because you do. If you don’t, life is going to crush you. And that would be a shame because we need you.
